Rubicon Peak- West Lake Tahoe

Rubicon Peak is by far one of the best mellow ski tours in all of Tahoe. Its mellow terrain in combination along with easy routing finding and sheltered trees make it a perfect ski on storm days when avalanche danger is high. With essentially no avalanche terrain, this makes for a perfect ski tour to bring anybody from first-time ski tourers to your powder-hungry crusher friends.

The easiest ascent route starts at the top of a neighborhood above Rubicon Bay. You can choose from the top of Highland drive or Forest View drive as both of these will give you easy access to the mountain. From here you will most likely be following a well-defined skin track set for you by one of the many local crushers that frequent this zone.

As you ascend Rubicon, the views will only progressively get better as the lake takes shape behind you along with ample views into Desolation Wilderness. Once on top, there are many descent options to take as there are no cliffs or impassable pieces of terrain on this aspect.

If I had only had a half day with fresh snow and blue skies to show someone the beauty of Lake Tahoe skiing, this is where I would take them. Like mentioned before, the lack of avalanche terrain and sheltered nature of this ski tour makes for perfect powder skiing when all the resorts are packed. Below are some of my favorite shots I’ve taken/ had taken of me on Rubicon.

Below Left: Alpenglow over South lake in December, Below Right: Selfies at the skiers summit

Below: Nothing beats some afternoon powder on Rubicon

Above: Deep in the Barrel, Below: Final stretch back to the car (shot by Nina Bridges)